Political leaders may again get chance to chair private education committees

Political party leaders and local elected representatives may once again get an opportunity to become chairpersons of managing committees of private educational institutions, as the government moves to bring back provisions that were removed under revised rules introduced during the interim government.

A proposed regulation for forming managing committees of private educational institutions was discussed at the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Education Ministry on Sunday. The regulation is expected to be finalised after approval from Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon.

Under the new proposal for nominating governing body chairpersons, the head of an educational institution, in consultation with the divisional commissioner or deputy commissioner, where applicable, would send the education board the names and full CVs of three candidates selected from among local elected representatives, officials or employees of government, semi-government or autonomous institutions, education-minded individuals, founders and prominent local social workers.

The proposal does not explicitly exclude local elected representatives, potentially allowing political figures holding elected local government positions to become governing body chairpersons.

The provision marks a departure from the revised rules introduced by the interim government in 2025, which removed the scope for local political figures to be considered for the position.

Under those rules, candidates had to be selected from specified professional and academic categories, subject to the required educational qualifications.

These included serving government, semi-government or autonomous institution officials not below Grade 9, or interested retired officials not below Grade 5; associate professors or professors at public universities or government colleges; founders of the relevant private educational institution; and qualified officials or retired officials with four-year bachelor’s degrees in medicine, engineering, agriculture or other technical fields.

The revised rules were introduced during the interim government’s tenure and were intended to restrict the involvement of political figures in managing committees.

A senior Education Ministry official, speaking to The Daily Campus on condition of anonymity, said including local elected representatives could create opportunities for political influence in educational institutions.

“Including local elected representatives in the managing committee or governing body means bringing political interference back into educational institutions. Although others would also be eligible for the position, once local elected representatives are included, the chances of others being appointed to the position would become limited.”

The proposed regulation is yet to be finalised. Further changes may be made before it receives final approval.